A study on the evaluation of anti-diarrhoeal efficacy of a polyherbal formulation versus loperamide in rat models

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a new polyherbal formulation LQ14 for acute diarrhea in rats and to explore its mechanism of action as an anti-diarrhoeal agent. Materials and methods: Wistar albino rats (average body weight 150g) were divided into five groups of six animals each. Group 1 control (2 ml/kg distilled water), group 2 received loperamide (3 mg/kg) served as standard and group 3, 4, and 5 received test drug LQ14 (1 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg and 4 ml/kg respectively) 1 hour before castor oil administration. All drugs were given by oral route. Diarrhea was induced by administering 1 ml of castor oil. Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhoea, Castor Oil-Induced Enteropooling and Small Intestinal Transit were the models used in this study. Results: LQ14 possess significant anti-diarrhoeal activity due to its effect on reduction of frequency of diarrhoea episodes, delay in gastrointestinal propulsion and inhibition of fluid accumulation in the intestinal tract of rats. Conclusion: The new polyherbal formulation was found to possess anti-diarrhoeal activity as it showed significant reduction of number of diarrhoea stools, delayed gastrointestinal propulsion and inhibition of fluid accumulation in the intestinal tract of rat